Application of a global solar wind/planetary obstacle interaction computational model: Earth, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn studies

This work relates to a series of collaborative investigations involving the application of a computational model for the determination of the detailed plasma and magnetic field properties associated with the global interaction of the solar wind with various planetary obstacles throughout the solar system. The theoretical method is based on an established single fluid, steady, dissipationless, magnetohydrodynamic continuum model, and is appropriate for the calculation of supersonic, super-Alfvenic solar wind flow past planetary obstacles. The investigations undertaken relate to studies of various solar wind interaction phenomena with Venus, Earth, Jupiter, and Saturn.